Dubai taxis are everywhere, air-conditioned, and reasonably priced but knowing which option to choose can save you both time and money.
Not in a rush? For longer trips across the city, the Dubai Metro is often the cheaper, faster option.
How to Spot an Official Dubai Taxi
Dubai's official taxis are government regulated, by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The RTA licenses every taxi, sets the fares and trains the drivers, which is why a Dubai taxi is one of the safest ways to get around the city.
They are also easy to spot, because they are beige. Every official one has the same sandy body. Pink roofs are the women's and family taxis, more on those below. All of them carry the RTA logo, have a camera inside and run a meter.
Each emirate has its own colours, so the beige rule only works in Dubai. Abu Dhabi's taxis are silver with a yellow roof sign, and Sharjah and the northern emirates have their own liveries again. Wherever you are, the checks are the same: a roof sign, an official logo and a meter on the dashboard.
The colours matter for another reason. A taxi can take you from its own emirate into another, but it cannot pick up passengers there for the ride back. So if you are in Abu Dhabi and spot a beige Dubai taxi, you cannot just hop in. It has to head home empty, and you need an Abu Dhabi taxi.
No Meter? Get Out.
Every official taxi in Dubai is metered, every time. If the driver will not switch the meter on, or offers you a "good price" instead, that is your cue to step out and find another car. The same goes for anyone approaching you outside arrivals offering a ride. Unlicensed drivers are fined and their cars impounded here, and in their car you have no meter, no camera and no way to trace your bag if you leave it behind.
At the Airport
When you land at Dubai International (DXB), you'll find an official taxi rank right outside arrivals. These are the beige RTA taxis, with a AED 25 flag-down fee from the airport (higher than city pickups).
Next to the taxi rank you will see the limousines. They are usually black, often called limos even when they are a regular saloon or an SUV, and they do not run on the standard taxi meter. They charge their own limousine rates, which are a lot more expensive than the beige taxi next to them. Lovely if you want the leather seats after a long flight. Just make sure you meant to.
Regular Taxis vs. Ride Apps
| Option | Base Fare | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| RTA Taxi (street hail) | AED 12 | Quick pickups, no phone needed |
| Uber | Varies (fixed upfront) | Upfront pricing, familiar interface |
| Careem | Varies (fixed upfront) | Local app, loyalty points, cash option |
| Hala (in the Careem app) | Metered | An official RTA taxi, booked and tracked by app |
Hala: Booking a Real Taxi Through Careem
This is the one most visitors miss. Hala is the RTA's own taxi booking service, run with Careem, and there is no separate app for it. You open Careem, tap Hala Taxi on the home screen, and a regular Dubai taxi comes to you. Same beige car, same meter, same RTA driver, but with a pickup pin, a live map and the driver's details on your phone. The fare runs on the meter, with a small booking surcharge at peak times.
It matters more than it used to. The RTA moved its taxi booking line over to Hala, and these days a lot of taxis are working mainly from app bookings rather than cruising for street hails. Stand on a corner in Business Bay at 6pm waving your arm and you will watch plenty of taxis glide past, already taken. Book through Hala and one of them is yours.
Travelling with little ones? Choose Hala Kids in the Careem app and the taxi arrives with a child car seat already fitted. No lugging your own seat through the airport, and no balancing a toddler on your lap on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Insider Tip
Compare fares between the apps, always. But the 1 app worth having on your phone at all times is Careem, because that is where you book Hala, the RTA's official taxis, plus Hala Kids with a child seat already fitted. Sort out mobile data at home too, either an eSIM or a roaming plan, because the arrivals hall is not where you want to be setting up a payment card.
Payment Options
Every Dubai taxi has a card machine, so you can pay by card, contactless (Apple Pay and Google Pay) or Nol card, as well as cash (AED). Uber and Careem let you pay by card, Apple Pay, or cash. Just set your preference in the app before booking.
Tip your driver. It is the done thing here, and a few dirhams go a long way, especially if the driver has helped with your bags. Carry some small notes for it, or tip by card when you pay.
✓ Do
- Keep small notes for tips
- Check the meter is running when you get in
- Use apps during peak hours for fixed pricing
- Screenshot your route if using a new driver
✗ Don't
- Accept "flat rate" offers from unofficial drivers
- Forget to check surge pricing on apps
- Leave belongings behind. Check the seats before you get out
- Haggle with metered taxi drivers
Important
During peak hours (7-9am, 5-8pm) and Friday brunch times, expect longer waits and higher surge pricing on apps. Metered taxis don't surge but may be harder to find.
Pink Taxis for Women and Families
Dubai's pink taxis have pink roofs and female drivers, and they take either women or families. You can find them at the airport taxi rank, hail one if you spot one on the street (it is rare, so count yourself lucky), or book one in the RTA's S'hail app by choosing the pink taxi option. Metered rates apply.
Crossing Into Another Emirate
A Dubai taxi will take you to Sharjah, with a AED 20 surcharge added on top of the meter for the trip into another emirate. Traffic on the road between the two at rush hour is a cultural experience of its own, so time it well.
Plan the way back separately. The Dubai taxi that dropped you off cannot take you home, so you will need a Sharjah taxi or a ride app for the return.
Left Something in the Taxi?
It happens to everyone, and Dubai is very good at giving things back. Every official taxi is tracked, so a phone on the back seat is a report away, not a lost cause.
- Call the RTA on 800 9090 and ask to file a lost item report.
- Use the S'hail app, the RTA's own transport app: tap More, then Feedback, then choose Taxi Lost and Found.
- Booked through Hala? Open Careem, go to Activities and tap the ride. The trip and driver details are all there.
Have the time of the trip and the pickup and drop-off points ready, plus the roof colour and plate number if you have them. This is why the receipt is worth taking, even when you pay by card. You will get an SMS to track the report, and once the item turns up the driver brings it to you. You pay the meter for their trip, a small price for getting your passport back.
Heading to Abu Dhabi?
It is roughly 1.5 hours each way by road, which is a long time to watch a taxi meter. My Abu Dhabi Cultural Tour and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tour both include transport from your hotel in Dubai, so the driving is someone else’s problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Dubai Airport?
Airport taxis are metered, with a AED 25 starting fare that is higher than street pickups. The final fare depends on the distance and the traffic.
Are RTA taxis or Uber and Careem cheaper in Dubai?
It varies by time and demand. Metered RTA taxis are often cheaper off-peak, while apps can surge at busy times. I always compare both apps before booking.
Can you pay by card in Dubai taxis?
Yes. Every Dubai taxi has a card machine and takes card, contactless and Nol card, and the apps let you pay automatically. Keep some small notes for tipping.
Are there women-only taxis in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai's pink-roofed taxis have female drivers and take either women or families. Find them at the airport taxi rank, hail one if you spot one on the street (rare), or book one in the RTA's S'hail app.
How do I book an official taxi in Dubai through an app?
Open the Careem app and choose Hala Taxi. Hala is the RTA's official taxi booking service, so you get a regular metered Dubai taxi with live tracking.
What colour are official taxis in Dubai?
Official Dubai taxis have a beige body. Pink roofs are taxis with female drivers, for women or families. Other emirates use their own colours, for example Abu Dhabi's silver taxis with yellow roof signs.
What should I do if a Dubai taxi driver will not use the meter?
Get out and take another taxi. Every official Dubai taxi is metered, and a driver offering a fixed price instead is a sign to walk away.
What do I do if I left something in a Dubai taxi?
Call the RTA on 800 9090 or report it in the S'hail app under Taxi Lost and Found. For Hala rides, find the trip in the Careem app under Activities. Have the trip time, route and plate number ready if you can.
Can I take a Dubai taxi back from Sharjah or Abu Dhabi?
No. A Dubai taxi can drive you into another emirate, but it cannot pick up passengers there. For the return, use that emirate's own taxis or a ride app.
Are the black limos at Dubai Airport taxis?
No. The black cars next to the taxi rank are limousines, which charge their own, much higher rates instead of the standard taxi meter. The beige RTA taxis are the metered option.
Can I get a taxi with a child car seat in Dubai?
Yes. Choose Hala Kids in the Careem app and an RTA taxi arrives with a child car seat fitted.
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